The Forward's front page on November 15, 1952, showed this photo of New York City Mayor Vincent R. Impellitteri on the right, welcoming Behor Sitreet, Israel's Minister of Police, at a ceremony at City Hall. Sitreet gifted the mayor a hand-wrought menorah, or oil lamp, that is used in the celebration of Hanukkah. The caption noted that Minister Sitreet, had arrived a day earlier to commence a national speaking tour on behalf of the State of Israel Bond Drive, a fairly affordable and secure investment type bond, sold by the Forward at the time. Sitreet invited the mayor to attend the Hanukkah celebration at Madison Square Garden Monday evening, December 15.

Sitreet, addressed the press, including the New York Times, later from the iconic Roosevelt Hotel down the block from this famed NY publications building. He discussed Israel's nascent police force, noting it was 5,000 strong at that time and that crime was minimal despite a steadily growing population. That changed over time, unfortunately.

Madison Square, at the time located nearby this theatre, on 49th St and 8th Ave, and was the host of the big fat Hanukkah pageant and party to take place December 15 of that year. The mayor and the minister would both be entertained by the city's greats. The Forward's ad mentioned some of the "biggest, most popular, most beloved artists and stars" helping light up the holiday night. The ad promised Richard Tucker, Hilde Zadek, Conrad Nagel, Hazel Scott and Sam Levenson. Reports stated over 18,000 attended a first festival of its kind, including the minister and the mayor. Sam Levenson was among the first comedians to openly portray Jewish culture as part of his "act." Decades later, and light-years away from a historical pageant, the topic of Hanukkah would be featured as part of the city's adored comedy television show Saturday Night Live. Here's the most recent clip featuring a humorous take on the holiday.